Healthy Aging

The good news: Americans are living longer and living more active lifestyles. Here are some of the most important things you can do to stay healthy, active and independent through the years. No matter how old you are, it is never too late to begin taking care of yourself.

See a Healthcare Provider Regularly

Visiting your health care provider regularly helps catch problems early, making them easier to treat. You can also find out about screening tests and immunizations you might need. You and your health care provider will decide together how often you should be seen.

Get Insurance Coverage

Having health insurance is essential. The Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a free health-benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. SHIP is an independent program funded by federal agencies and is not affiliated with the insurance industry. Call 602-542-4446 or statewide 1-800-432-4040.

Take Care of Your Teeth

Over the past 50 years, there has been an improvement in the nation's oral health. Most middle-aged and older adults can expect to keep their natural teeth over their lifetime. Tooth loss is not a natural part of aging, it is caused by untreated mouth and gum disease. Taking prescription medications can cause dry mouth, which can also increase your risk of tooth decay. What else can you do to maintain good oral health? Check out these tips.

Use Chronic Disease Self Management Programs (CDSMP)

Managing chronic conditions as we age is key. CDSMP workshops are free, evidenced based and designed to help people with chronic conditions live healthy lives and gain self-confidence in their ability to control their symptoms. Small-group, highly interactive workshops are six weeks long, meeting once a week for 2 ½ hours, and are facilitated by a pair of leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals with chronic diseases themselves.

How to communicate more effectively with family, friends, and health professionals

Who should participate?Workshops are designed to help people with ongoing health problems manage them more effectively. Anyone with a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, asthma, or any other on-going health problem should participate. Caregivers or family members who serve as caregivers are welcomed.

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Caregivers for Alzheimer's and Dementia Face Special Challenges

Though the care provided by family members of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is somewhat similar to the help provided by caregivers of people with other conditions, dementia caregivers tend to provide more extensive assistance. Family caregivers of people with dementia are more likely to assist with more activities of daily living. This responsibility can take an emotional, physical, and financial toll, but knowledge of available resources can help relieve the stress. Research shows that caregivers who access support activities regularly are healthier and better able to provide care.

Life Care Planning

(Advance Directives) is about knowing what is most important to you and communicating how that affects your wishes for future health care. It is a consistent process for evaluating a person and disability in order to establish all of the needs dictated by the onset of that disability.

Life Care Planning is an important task for all of us, whether young or old, healthy or facing challenges. Through increased awareness and access to information, Arizonans of all ages can make their choices known about who will manage their medical affairs in the event of an emergency.

Eat Well

Good nutrition, especially in combination with regular physical activity, is key to maintaining a healthy weight and reducing your risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. As you get older, it is important to understand how your nutrition needs to change.

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Get Enough Calcium

Calcium can help to keep your bones strong and healthy to prevent fractures. The current recommendations are for men and women over age 50 to get 1200 mg of calcium and 400-600 IUs of vitamin D each day. Vitamin D allows the body use calcium properly. To help with getting enough calcium, read food labels when you go shopping.

Be Physically Active

Older adults need to be physically active in order to stay healthy and independent. Physical activity can help prevent heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. It can also help prevent falls and fractures. It is important to understand how much physical activity you need.

Falls Prevention (see Safety tab)

Drink Alcohol in Moderation

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems or injuries. Most men should limit their use to two drinks per day. Most women should limit their use to one drink per day. One drink equals: one beer (12 oz.), or one glass of wine (5 oz.), or one shot of 80-proof hard liquor (1.5 oz) in a mixed drink. If you are concerned about your drinking, call the Crisis Response Network: 602-222-9444 (24 hours a day, every day).

Avoid Tobacco Use

It's never too late to quit smoking! No matter how old you are or how long you have been smoking, by quitting you can significantly lessen your risk of smoking-related illness and death. It is also important to avoid secondhand smoke. Call Arizona’s confidential and toll-free Tobacco Quitline, the ASHLine for support: 1800 55 66 222ASHLine.org.

Be Social and Get Involved

Depression is not a natural result of aging. In older adults, depression is often caused by social isolation. Remember that your mental health and well-being are as important as your physical health. Have fun and do things that make you feel useful. Consider volunteering.

Prevent Falls at Home

There are several things you can do to reduce your risk, and it starts at home. Reducing clutter and tripping hazards around your home will greatly reduce the risk of a fall. Showers and tubs without slip resistant mats, poorly lit rooms, cords and wires, and unsecured throw rugs can all increase your risk for a fall. It does not have to be expensive to create a safer home. Below is a list of ten things you can buy for less than $20 that will lower your risk for a fall.

Shower or bathtub mat

Grab Bars for your shower or tub

Non-slip bathtub strips

Velcro strips to secure electrical cords

Non-slip safety grip pad for rugs

Motion sensor sight light

Slip resistant socks

Non-slip tape (skid tape for stairs)

Raised toilet seat

Wheelchair seatbelt

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Stay Safe in the Heat

The elderly population is vulnerable to the extremely hot sun and temperatures of Arizona. The temperatures within Arizona can reach above 100° F for almost half of the year and in the 105-110° F range during summer months. These levels of excessive heat can result in dehydration, exhaustion and even heat stroke. You can find heat safety tips here.

Avoid and Report Abuse

Elder mistreatment is a significant public health problem. Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited. In the United States alone, over 500,000 older adults are believed to be abused or neglected each year. These statistics are likely an underestimate because many victims are unable or afraid to tell the police, family, or friends about the violence.

Always be cautious about taking a medication. Follow the instructions on the label carefully. If you have questions, don't guess - call us. If you do make an error, call us first, 24 hours a day. We'll help you know what to do next! 1-800-222-1222

Additional Resources

We created FindHelpPhoenix.org and its Spanish partner site EncuentraAyudaPhx.org to give Maricopa County residents an easy way to find free and almost free health and social services for themselves. There is a section especially designed for Senior needs. The website is easy to use and available where there is internet access, including smartphones.

FindHelpPhoenix is divided into multiple categories of services. Users can look for medical services, legal help, and affordable housing, and many other services. The approximate 1,500 resources are, checked for accuracy, and the information for each service is just what you need: location, a description of the service, cost, and a phone number/website link to make contact.

The Senior HELP LINE through the Area Agency on Aging, Region One, provides information, referral and assistance to older adults and caregivers. Trained social workers can assist in answering questions about a variety of services, including transportation, housing, long-term care, home-delivered meals, home care and other services. Assistance is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 602 264-HELP (4357) or 888 264-2258. A comprehensive Maricopa County Elder Resource Guide is also available online or by calling 602 254-4357.